In a message dated 2/14/02 10:43:59 AM US Eastern Standard Time, ssilver1951@jps.net writes: > The point here is that most archaeologists truly have no experience in > things such as this. Yes, they know about human remains, and they can tell > you its a grave. But most of your lay persons with any common sense can > tell you that. Sue, I agree with you that all Archeologist are not top of the line, but in my 40 odd years as a Masonry Contractor I found this to be true in every Profession. As in my business, there were a lot of "Bad Apples" that I met. I also believe that when it comes to a Neglected, Destroyed or "Abandoned" cemetery such as we have in the Terrain here in the Hills of Southern Indiana, that my years of Volunteer work, and observation and studying of Burial Sites, I probably after 2 or 3 hours of study, can determine the size and approximate number of Burials as well as anyone. As I said earlier, I don't believe archaeologists are trained in working on 150 to 200 year old cemeteries. I am beginning to see where they, if nothing else should go out on a Saturday and begin to study "old Modern" cemeteries. A lot can be learned just by observation. As in my Profession, in my 40 odd years I have became a Paid Professional in my Work, I have had people ask me how I got my Knowledge, I explained from books and a LOT of practical experience. I never considered that I knew all there was to know. I continually worked on improvement. I never, never thought "I knew it all." Also, having lived in California 10 years, I am aware of some of what you are talking about. Most reports that were turned in to Cal-Trans were what they wanted. And if you wanted to work for them, or get a Contract from them, then you had better conform to what they expected. Here or in California, I feel sorry for some Archeologist, they are caught between the proverbial 'Rock and a hard place" They went to college, and they now have to make a Living. If they say the wrong thing at the wrong time their Living is in Jeopardy. The biggest problem I see is that I don't believe that their education covers some of the things they encounter in these older Destroyed cemeteries. They should try working closer with people like you that have no vested interest in the Cemetery, other than it's protection. If nothing else, it doesn't hurt to listen and look at the information you have, before making a Determination on a Historical Site than can never be reversed. My belief is Cooperation, Cooperation, Cooperation. Jack E. Briles Sr. Po Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

Hi Jack, I still can't get passed that these are sacred places, not just historic or cultural resources. They are a separate land use that, for most of mankind, hold a special level of regard. We need to keep that in mind. It should not matter the age. When these people were laid to "rest", that's exactly what their families expected they would have - eternal rest. Not "until so and so's shopping center needs to get built" or "the public needs a new road..." Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jb502000@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 9:03 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] "Old Cemetery to far gone" ????? > In a message dated 2/14/02 10:43:59 AM US Eastern Standard Time, > ssilver1951@jps.net writes: > > > > The point here is that most archaeologists truly have no experience in > > things such as this. Yes, they know about human remains, and they can tell > > you its a grave. But most of your lay persons with any common sense can > > tell you that. > > Sue, > I agree with you that all Archeologist are not top of the line, but > in my 40 odd years as a Masonry Contractor I found this to be true in every > Profession. As in my business, there were a lot of "Bad Apples" that I met. I > also believe that when it comes to a Neglected, Destroyed or "Abandoned" > cemetery such as we have in the Terrain here in the Hills of Southern > Indiana, that my years of Volunteer work, and observation and studying of > Burial Sites, I probably after 2 or 3 hours of study, can determine the size > and approximate number of Burials as well as anyone. As I said earlier, I > don't believe archaeologists are trained in working on 150 to 200 year old > cemeteries. I am beginning to see where they, if nothing else should go out > on a Saturday and begin to study "old Modern" cemeteries. > A lot can be learned just by observation. As in my Profession, in > my 40 odd years I have became a Paid Professional in my Work, I have had > people ask me how I got my Knowledge, I explained from books and a LOT of > practical experience. I never considered that I knew all there was to know. I > continually worked on improvement. I never, never thought "I knew it all." > Also, having lived in California 10 years, I am aware of some of what you are > talking about. Most reports that were turned in to Cal-Trans were what they > wanted. And if you wanted to work for them, or get a Contract from them, then > you had better conform to what they expected. > Here or in California, I feel sorry for some Archeologist, they > are caught between the proverbial 'Rock and a hard place" They went to > college, and they now have to make a Living. If they say the wrong thing at > the wrong time their Living is in Jeopardy. The biggest problem I see is that > I don't believe that their education covers some of the things they encounter > in these older Destroyed cemeteries. They should try working closer with > people like you that have no vested interest in the Cemetery, other than it's > protection. If nothing else, it doesn't hurt to listen and look at the > information you have, before making a Determination on a Historical Site than > can never be reversed. My belief is Cooperation, Cooperation, Cooperation. > > Jack E. Briles Sr. > Po Box 444 > New Albany, In. 47151-0444 > (812) 282-6585 > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > If you know of some good cemetery related links, send them to LoisMauk@usa.net. > >